What Is Informed Consent?

Before you undergo a medical procedure, especially one that involves some possible risks to your health, you are often given a document and asked to sign it. It is a document asking for your informed consent, and many people sign it without really knowing what they are doing. So what is informed consent?

Informed consent means you have taken the time to consider the possible consequences, side effects, and risks involved in a medical procedure you are undertaking. Usually, your doctor has recommended the procedure but wants you to be fully aware of what is involved.

Informed Consent Process

The process of informed consent includes several steps and is not just the signed document itself:

Step One – You have been given information about the possible benefits and risks of a treatment or procedure.

Step Two – You are informed of the risks and benefits of other options, including skipping treatment altogether.

Step Three – You are given the chance to ask questions and get satisfactory answers.

Step Four – You have been given the time to discuss your options with family members and advisors.

Step Five – You are able to make a decision regarding your health using the information you have been given.

Step Six – You give your doctor your final informed decision.

It’s important to note that signing a form regarding informed consent doesn’t take away your ability to file a suit for medical malpractice. This greatly depends on the circumstances of your case.

Call a Medical Malpractice Attorney

You’ll want to know what informed consent is if you’re confused about why a medical professional provided the care that he or she did. If you’ve been injured due to a medical professional’s carelessness, you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim. But you’ll likely need to call a medical injury attorney right away.

Each case is unique, and your medical malpractice lawyer can investigate your case individually to determine whether you have the right to receive compensation for your injuries. Call the Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo at 561-659-6366 or complete the contact form below to schedule a free consultation.